CWG 2026: Oluwafemiayo sets record as Nigeria surge ahead in para-powerlifting (Ld)
Glasgow, July 25
World records tumbled as Folashade Oluwafemiayo won Nigeria's second Para Powerlifting gold of the day, in the Heavyweight division, with three world records set in the event.
Oluwafemiayo twice broke the world record in the +86kg category, lifting a best of 175kg. Silver medallist Rita Ferdinand, also of Nigeria, managed a world-record 158kg in the +79kg category. Fellow Nigerian Rita Ferdinand took the silver medal while Hani Watson of Australia finished with the bronze medal.
Earlier, Nigeria surged to the top of the medal table after a stellar performance in the first two sessions on the first day of competitions at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow on Friday.
Nigeria dominated the Para Powerlifting competitions, with Esther Nworgu and Esther Oyema winning gold and silver, respectively, in the Women's Lightweight. At the same time, Roland Ezuruike took silver earlier in the day in the Men's Lightweight event.
Nigeria lead the medal table with one gold and two silver medals, with England second with two medals -- one gold and one bronze. Malaysia are third with one bronze.
England's Mark Swan won the first gold medal of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games in the most dramatic of circumstances on Friday in the Men's Lightweight category of Para Powerlifting.
Swan lifted more than three times his body weight to post 222kg on his second attempt, and was tied for gold with Nigerian veteran Roland Ezuruike on 153.9 points going into the final round.
Malaysia's Bonnie Bunyau Gustin - the two-time Paralympic champion and world record holder at up to 72kg - was only 0.4 points behind in third but could not produce the goods on his final lift, relinquishing the title he won in Birmingham four years ago.
Ezuruike then fouled his final lift before Swan failed in a Games Record attempt at 232kg, to leave the second round scores unchanged.
The Men's Lightweight category pulled in athletes with a body weight up to and including 72kg. Medals were decided by a coefficient formula to rank lifts fairly against the athletes' body weights.
Lifters were roared on by an enthusiastic crowd who had themselves been energised by Scottish actor Sam Heughan hitting the venue DJ decks during the build-up.
"The whole atmosphere here, the crowd, that was crazy," Australia's Daniel Bos said after finishing ninth. "That gave me a massive adrenaline rush. It's really surreal because you have these little moments on stage where I'm like, 'Whoa, this is it'. It's really cool. I've never experienced anything like this."
— IANS
Reader Comments
Amazing performance by Mark Swan from England, lifting more than three times his body weight! That's unreal strength. The coefficient formula for lightweight categories makes it fair, but it must be nerve-wracking for the athletes. The crowd energy in Glasgow sounds electric—wish I could be there!
As an Indian, I feel a bit left out seeing Nigeria and England dominate. 😔 Where are our para-powerlifters? We have talent like Sakshi Kasana and others, but we need better funding and training facilities. The government's Target Olympic Podium Scheme should focus more on para sports too. Still, congratulations to all winners—you're all champions!
The determination of these athletes is unmatched. Folashade Oluwafemiayo breaking her own world record twice is legendary! 🇳🇬 Nigeria's rise in para-powerlifting shows what consistent support can achieve. India needs to learn from this—our para-athletes often struggle with basic equipment. Let's hope we see more Indian names on the podium soon. Jai Hind! 🙏
Incredible to see Roland Ezuruike from Nigeria pushing hard despite his age. The Men's Lightweight category was a thriller—Bonnie Bunyau Gustin, the Paralympic champion, missing out on bronze was surprising. But that's sport! Hats off to Mark Swan for holding his nerve. The atmosphere with Sam Heughan DJing sounds like a party too! 🎉
While I'm thrilled for Nigeria's success, I can't help but think about our
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